qualms

cause (one) qualms

To cause one to feel some or certain hesitations, apprehensions, uneasiness, or pangs of conscience (about something or someone). Lying always causes me qualms, so I doubt I'll be able to tell my boss that I'm sick just to get a long weekend. I thought Jonathan's promotion was a done deal, but his latest interview seems to have caused the board of directors some qualms. I know I said I'd go to the party tonight, but I'd have to sneak out, and that's causing me qualms.

See also: cause, qualm

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*qualms (about someone or something)

an uneasy feeling of one's conscience about someone or something. (*Typically: cause ~; have ~; have no ~; give someone ~.) Do you have any qualms about telling a little white lie to Mary about her not getting an invitation to the party?

See also: qualm

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.